Baler

ABSTRACT

A combined baler/bale wrapper ( 1 ) comprises a chassis ( 5 ) on which a baler ( 10 ) and a bale wrapper ( 11 ) are mounted. The baler ( 10 ) comprises a stationary segment ( 18 ), a lower segment ( 19 ) and an upper segment ( 20 ) all of which carry bale forming rollers ( 25 ) which define a bale forming chamber ( 15 ) within which a round bale ( 2 ) is formed. The lower segment ( 19 ) and the upper segment ( 20 ) are pivotal about first and second pivot axes ( 35,40 ), respectively from a bale forming position (FIG.  5 ) to a discharge position (FIG.  1 ) for transferring a bale upwardly rearwardly from of the bale forming chamber ( 15 ) directly onto first and second bale supporting rollers ( 50 ) of the bale wrapper ( 11 ). The bale supporting rollers ( 50 ) rotate the bale ( 2 ) about a first wrapping axis ( 53 ) while a carrier ring ( 55 ) simultaneously revolves a pair of wrapping material dispensers ( 54 ) about a second horizontal wrapping axis ( 56 ) for dispensing wrapping material onto the bale ( 2 ) for wrapping thereof. The combined baler/bale wrapper is efficient, compact and of minimum length.

This is a National Stage Entry of Application No. PCT/IE02/00036 filedMar. 22, 2002; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fixed chamber baler and inparticular, though not limited to a fixed chamber baler for balingmaterial into a cylindrical bale, for example, fibrous animal foddermaterial, such as, for example, hay, straw, grass and the like.

Such fixed chamber balers are well known. Typically, the baler ismounted on a chassis which in turn is carried on ground engaging wheels.The chassis, typically, is arranged to be towed behind a towing vehicle,for example, a tractor. Power from the power take-off shaft of thetractor and from the hydraulic power supply is transmitted to the balerfor operating the baler. Such fixed chamber balers define a bale formingchamber which, in general, is of fixed constant volume. Such fixedchamber balers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,596 of Welger, U.S.Pat. No. 4,651,512 of Texas Industries and U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,379 ofSperry. Other fixed chamber balers are disclosed in British PatentSpecification No. 2,277,708A of Deere and European Patent SpecificationNo. 0,788,732A of Welger.

In general, during the formation of the bale the volume of the baleforming chamber does not vary. Although, provision is made in the balersof U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,512 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,379 of Texas andSperry, respectively for reducing the volume of the bale forming chamberinitially at the commencement of the formation of each bale in order toform a compact core about which the bale is formed.

Such balers, in general, comprise a plurality of rotatably mountedrollers which are located around the circumferential periphery of thebale forming chamber, and which form the bale forming chamber. Therollers are rotated for rotating the material within the bale formingchamber around a main central axis defined by the bale forming chamberfor forming the bale. Alternatively, slats carried on a pair of spacedapart chains extending around the circumferential periphery of the baleforming chamber define the bale forming chamber, and the slats are urgedcircumferentially around the bale forming chamber for rotating thematerial to be baled within the bale forming chamber around the maincentral axis of the bale forming chamber for forming the bale. In othersuch fixed chamber balers the slats which are carried on the spacedapart chains which extend around the circumferential periphery of thebale forming chamber may be replaced by belts, which cause the materialto be baled in the bale forming chamber to rotate about the main centralaxis of the bale forming chamber. Such fixed chamber balers will be wellknown to those skilled in the art.

Such fixed chamber balers are extensively used for baling animal fodder,for example, hay, straw, silage and other fibrous animal fodder cropsinto cylindrical bales, which are commonly referred to as round bales.Such bales are typically of diameter of approximately 1.5 meters and ofaxial length of approximately 1.25 meters. In the baling of grass toform silage, after the bale has been formed it is then wrapped in awatertight, airtight wrapping material, typically, an adhesive coatedplastics film material which is opaque to prevent light reaching thesilage, and more commonly is of colour black, white or green. Ingeneral, such balers discharge the bale onto the ground, typically, inthe field from which the grass has been harvested. A bale wrapper thenpicks up the formed bales and wraps the bales in the film material. Thisrequires a bale wrapper to be trailed around the field after the balerto pick up the formed bales for wrapping. This is inefficient.Additionally, where hay, straw and the like are baled using such balersthe formed bale is similarly discharged onto the ground in the field.Such bales, in general, do not require wrapping, and thus must becollected from the ground for storing in a barn or other suitablestoring location. Due to the fact that such balers discharge a formedbale onto the ground, a further piece of apparatus is required to pickthe bales up from the ground, either in the case of grass bales to wrapthe grass bales, or in the case of hay and straw bales for transportingthe hay and straw bales to the barn or other suitable storage location.This is inconvenient and inefficient.

It would be considerably more convenient if such fixed chamber balerswere to deposit the bale onto a trailer, or in the case of silage, abale wrapper, which could be trailed behind the baler, or indeed, couldbe formed by an extension of the chassis on which the baler is mounted.Fixed chamber balers are unsuitable for discharging a bale onto atrailer or onto a bale wrapper. This is because of the fact that suchfixed chamber balers discharge the formed bale from the bale formingchamber from the lower end thereof. A lower portion of the baler whichdefines the bale forming chamber is pivoted downwardly from the baler topermit discharge of the formed bale downwardly rearwardly from the baleforming chamber. Because of the relatively low level at which the baleis discharged from the baler, in general, the bale must be dischargedonto the ground, or alternatively, onto a transfer mechanism which islocated at a low level just above the ground for raising the dischargedbale from the low level at which it is discharged to an elevatedposition onto a trailer or a bale wrapper. This is unsatisfactory.

It is known to trail bale accumulators behind fixed chamber balers forcollecting bales discharged from the baler, however, such accumulatorsmust be provided with a platform for receiving the bales at a relativelylow level. This requires that such bale accumulators must be low slung,and thus, are unsuitable for use over uneven ground. In general, sincefields present an uneven surface, such low slung bale accumulators areunsuitable for use in the majority of fields.

Variable volume chamber balers are known which discharge a formed baleat a relatively high level. For example, European Patent SpecificationNo. 0,309,938 of Hesston discloses such a variable volume chamber baler.However, such variable volume chamber balers lack the efficiency andversatility of fixed chamber balers, and furthermore, there is littlecontrol over the discharge of bales from such balers, which can thuslead to handling problems in the transfer of the bales to a trailer orbale wrapper located behind or trailed behind such balers.

There is therefore a need for a fixed chamber baler which is suitablefor discharging a formed bale at a relatively high level, and inparticular, at a level which is suitable for discharging the formed baleonto a trailer, a bale wrapper or other suitable storing platform whichmay be formed integral with or trailed behind the fixed chamber baler.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a fixed chamberbaler.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a fixed chamber baler forforming a cylindrical bale of material, the baler defining a baleforming chamber within which the bale is formed, and a discharge meansfor discharging the bale from the baler, wherein the discharge means isoperable to traverse into the bale forming chamber for urging the balefrom the bale forming chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention, the discharge means traversesthrough the bale forming chamber for urging the bale from the baleforming chamber. Preferably, the discharge means traverses through themain central axis of the bale forming chamber for urging the bale fromthe bale forming chamber. Advantageously, the discharge means dischargesthe bale from the bale forming chamber in a generally upwardly outwardlydirection therefrom.

In one embodiment of the invention, the discharge means discharges thebale from the bale forming chamber along a locus of discharge extendingin a general direction between a vertical direction and a horizontaldirection. Preferably, the locus of discharge along which the dischargemeans discharges the bale from the bale forming chamber extends in agenerally radial direction. Advantageously, the locus of discharge alongwhich the discharge means discharges the bale from the bale formingchamber is a generally arcuate locus.

In another embodiment of the invention, the discharge means comprises aportion of the baler, the said portion of the baler forming thedischarge means being moveable relative to the baler for urging the balefrom the bale forming chamber. Preferably, the moveable portion of thebaler which forms the discharge means is moveable from a bale formingposition co-operating with the baler for defining the bale formingchamber to a discharge position for discharging the bale from the baleforming chamber. Advantageously, the moveable portion of the baler whichforms the discharge means is an integral part of the baler. Ideally, themoveable portion of the baler which forms the discharge means is amoveable lower portion of the baler.

In one embodiment of the invention, the moveable portion of the balerwhich forms the discharge means is pivotally mounted about a first pivotaxis and is pivotal between the bale forming position and the dischargeposition about the first pivot axis for tipping the bale from the baleforming chamber.

In another embodiment of the invention, the bale forming chamber issubstantially cylindrical defining an inner circumferential peripheryand a main central geometrical axis. Preferably, the main central axisdefined by the bale forming chamber extends substantially horizontally.Advantageously, the first pivot axis is parallel to the main centralaxis defined by the bale forming chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention, the moveable portion of the balerwhich forms the discharge means extends around the circumferentialperiphery of the bale forming chamber an angular distance in the rangeof 50° to 160°. Advantageously, the moveable portion of the baler whichforms the discharge means extends around the circumferential peripheryof the bale forming chamber an angular distance in the range of 60° to115°. Preferably, the moveable portion of the baler which forms thedischarge means extends around the circumferential periphery of the baleforming chamber an angular distance of approximately 110°.

In another embodiment of the invention, the first pivot axis is locatedwithin an arc extending not more than 30° above, and not more than 60°below a horizontal plane containing the main central axis of the baleforming chamber. Preferably, the first pivot axis is located within anarc extending downwardly from the horizontal plane containing the maincentral axis of the bale forming chamber not more than 60°.Advantageously, the first pivot axis is located within an arc extendingdownwardly from the horizontal plane containing the main central axis anangular distance from the said horizontal plane in the range of 30° to40° of the bale forming chamber not more than 45°.

In another embodiment of the invention, the moveable portion of thebaler which forms the discharge means comprises a lower arcuate segmentwhich defines a part of the circumferential periphery of the baleforming chamber. Preferably, the moveable portion of the baler whichforms the discharge means is moveable into the bale forming chamber fromthe bale forming position to the discharge position. Advantageously, themoveable portion of the baler which forms the discharge means ismoveable through the bale forming chamber from the bale forming positionto the discharge position. Ideally, the moveable portion of the balerwhich forms the discharge means is moveable through the main centralaxis of the bale forming chamber from the bale forming position to thedischarge position.

In one embodiment of the invention, an upper portion of the baler ismoveable from a bale forming position co-operating with the baler forforming the bale forming chamber to a discharge position defining withthe baler an open mouth to the bale forming chamber for facilitatingdischarge of the bale from the bale forming chamber. Preferably, themoveable upper portion of the baler which is moveable from the baleforming position to the discharge position extends around thecircumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber through an angulardistance of up to 180°. Advantageously, the moveable upper portion ofthe baler is moveable in a generally upwardly direction from the baleforming position to the discharge position.

In one embodiment of the invention, the moveable upper portion of thebaler is pivotally mounted about a second pivot axis and is pivotalabout the second pivot axis between the bale forming position and thedischarge position.

Preferably, the first and second pivot axes are parallel to each other.Preferably, the respective first and second pivot axes are locatedadjacent the circumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention, the respective first and secondpivot axes are spaced apart from each other an angular distance of atleast 180° around the main central geometrical axis of the bale formingchamber.

In another embodiment of the invention, the second pivot axis is locatedwithin an arc extending not more than 60° above, and not more than 30°below the horizontal plane containing the main central axis of the baleforming chamber. Preferably, the second pivot axis is located within anarc extending not more than 30° above the horizontal plane containingthe main central axis of the bale forming chamber and not more than 15°below the horizontal plane containing the main central axis of the baleforming chamber. Advantageously, the second pivot axis is located withinan arc extending above the horizontal plane containing the main centralaxis of the bale forming chamber an angular distance from the saidhorizontal plane in the range of 10° to 15°.

In another embodiment of the invention, the upper portion of the balercomprises an upper arcuate segment which defines a part of thecircumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber.

In another embodiment of the invention, the moveable upper and lowerportions of the baler are sequentially operable between the bale formingposition and the discharge position, whereby movement of the moveableupper portion from the bale forming position to the discharge positioncommences prior to movement of the moveable lower portion from the baleforming position to the discharge position.

In a further embodiment of the invention, movement of the moveable lowerportion of the baler from the discharge position to the bale formingposition commences prior to movement of the moveable upper portion ofthe baler from the discharge position to the bale forming position.

In one embodiment of the invention, the respective moveable upper andlower portions of the baler terminate relatively closely to each otheradjacent the first pivot axis. Preferably, the respective moveable upperand lower portions of the baler substantially abut each other adjacentthe first pivot axis.

In another embodiment of the invention, a first urging means is providedfor urging the moveable lower portion of the baler between the baleforming position and the discharge position. Preferably, the firsturging means acts between the moveable lower portion of the baler andthe baler. Advantageously, the first urging means comprises a first ram.

In another embodiment of the invention, a second urging means isprovided for urging the moveable upper portion of the baler between thebale forming position and the discharge position. Preferably, the secondurging means acts between the moveable upper portion and the moveablelower portion of the baler. Advantageously, the second urging meanscomprises a second ram.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the baler comprises astationary arcuate segment for defining a part of the bale formingchamber, the stationary arcuate segment extending along thecircumferential periphery between the respective upper and lowerportions of the bale forming chamber. Preferably, the stationary arcuatesegment extends circumferentially from the second pivot axis.

In another embodiment of the invention, the baler comprises a baleforming means for forming the material into a bale. Preferably, the baleforming means comprises a plurality of bale forming rollers rotatablycarried in the baler and arranged around the main central axis to definethe circumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber.Advantageously, the bale forming rollers define respective secondarygeometrical axes which extend parallel to the main central axis definedby the bale forming chamber. Preferably, a drive transmission means isprovided for rotating the bale forming rollers for forming the bale inthe bale forming chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention, each of the upper and lower moveableportions of the baler carry corresponding ones of the bale formingrollers. In another embodiment of the invention, the stationary arcuatesegment carries corresponding ones of the bale forming rollers.

In one embodiment of the invention, an inlet is provided to the baleforming chamber through which material to be baled is fed into the baleforming chamber, the inlet being located at a level such that the baleis discharged from the bale forming chamber by the discharge means at alevel above the level of the inlet. Preferably, the inlet to the baleforming chamber defines a lower edge, and the inlet is located relativeto the first pivot axis such that the lower edge of the inlet is at alevel below a horizontal plane containing the first pivot axis.Advantageously, the inlet to the bale forming chamber is located at alevel which is completely below the horizontal plane containing thefirst pivot axis.

In one embodiment of the invention, the baler comprises a chassis, thechassis defining a main central longitudinal axis extending along thechassis in the general direction of forward motion of the chassis, andthe inlet to the bale forming chamber is located towards the front ofthe baler relative to the direction of forward motion of the chassis.Preferably, the discharge means discharges the bale from the baleforming chamber in a generally rearwardly direction. Preferably, themain central axis defined by the bale forming chamber extendstransversely of the main central longitudinal axis. Advantageously, themain central longitudinal axis extends substantially horizontally.

Additionally, the invention provides a fixed chamber baler for forming acylindrical bale of material, the baler defining a bale forming chamberwithin which the bale is formed, and a discharge means for dischargingthe bale from the baler, wherein the discharge means discharges the balein a generally upwardly outwardly direction from the bale formingchamber.

In one embodiment of the invention, the discharge means discharges thebale from the bale forming chamber along a locus of discharge extendingin a general direction between a vertical direction and a horizontaldirection.

Additionally, the invention provides a fixed chamber baler for forming acylindrical bale of material, the baler defining a bale forming chamberwithin which the bale is formed, and a discharge means for dischargingthe bale from the baler, wherein the discharge means discharges the balefrom the bale forming chamber along a locus of discharge extending in ageneral direction between a vertical direction and a horizontaldirection.

Preferably, the locus of discharge along which the discharge meansdischarges the bale from the bale forming chamber extends in a generallyradial direction. Advantageously, the locus of discharge along which thedischarge means discharges the bale from the bale forming chamber is agenerally arcuate locus.

In one embodiment of the invention, the discharge means comprises aportion of the baler, the said portion of the baler forming thedischarge means being moveable relative to the baler for urging the balefrom the bale forming chamber.

The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly importantadvantage of the invention is that it permits the bale to be dischargedfrom the baler at a relatively high level. This has the advantage thatthe bale can be discharged onto other apparatus without the need forfurther transfer mechanisms. For example, in many cases it is desirableto discharge formed bales onto a bale accumulator, which may be atrailed unit which is trailed behind the baler and collects apredetermined number of bales, for example, two, three or more, and whenthe predetermined number of bales have been collected the bales aresimultaneously discharged so that instead of having a large number ofbales randomly dropped off at spaced apart locations by the baler,clusters of bales are discharged at each location. This significantlyfacilitates collection of the bales from a field, and where the balesare to be wrapped, the bales can be wrapped where they have beendischarged, and the cluster of wrapped bales can then be subsequentlycollected.

Alternatively, where it is desired to transfer the formed bales to abarn or other storage area prior to being wrapped, or in cases where thebales are not to be wrapped, a trailer may be trailed behind the baleraccording to the invention, and since the bales are discharged at arelatively high level, the bales can be discharged directly onto thetrailer. When an appropriate number of bales have been discharged ontothe trailer, the trailer can be unhitched, and an empty trailer hitchedto the bailer. By virtue of the fact that the bales are discharged in agenerally upwardly outwardly direction from the bale forming chamber,the bales are discharged from the bale forming chamber at a relativelysignificant height above the ground, which is suitable for facilitatingdirect discharge of the bales from the bale forming chamber onto anaccumulator, trailer, or indeed, directly onto a bale wrapper.

A particularly important advantage of the invention is achieved when thebale is discharged from the bale forming chamber in a generally upwardlydirection which is between a generally vertical direction and agenerally horizontal direction. This provides that the bale isdischarged from the bale forming chamber at a relatively high level. Afurther advantage is achieved when the bale is discharged radiallyoutwardly of the bale forming chamber along an arcuate discharge locus,in that this facilitates a particularly advantageous construction ofbaler.

Traversing the discharge means into the bale forming chamber fordischarging the bale in particular facilitates the general upwardlyoutwardly discharge of the bale from the bale forming chamber, and bytraversing the discharge means through the baler for discharging thebale from the bale forming chamber facilitates discharge of the balealong the arcuate locus of discharge which is in a generally upwardlydirection between a generally vertical direction and a generallyhorizontal direction. This is further achieved by traversing thedischarge means through the main central axis defined by the baleforming chamber.

By having the upper portion of the bale forming chamber moveable in agenerally upwardly direction for forming an open mouth through which thebale is discharged from the bale forming chamber, a particularlyadvantageous construction of baler is provided, and pivoting the upperportion of the bale forming chamber in a generally upwardly directionfurther facilitates in the discharge of the bale along the arcuate locusof discharge in the generally upwardly direction between the generallyvertical and generally horizontal directions. Indeed, by virtue of thefact that the upper portion of the baler is pivoted in a generallyupwardly direction away from the area from which the bale is beingdischarged there is no need for additional mechanisms for pushing thedischarged bale when discharged onto the ground or other platform awayfrom the baler for facilitating return of the upper portion of the baleforming chamber to the bale forming position after the bale has beendischarged. This has been a particular problem in balers knownheretofore, where a rearward portion of the bale forming chamber ispivotal rearwardly upwardly about an upper pivot axis for facilitatingdischarge of the bale from the bale forming chamber. In such cases, therearward portion of the bale forming chamber cannot be closed until thebale has been pushed well away rearwardly from the baler. This, ingeneral, requires an additional mechanism commonly referred to as a balekicker for pushing the bale rearwardly of the baler for facilitatingclosure of the pivotal rear portion of the bale forming chamber.

A further advantage of the baler according to the invention is that thebale is positively discharged from the bale forming chamber by virtue ofthe fact that the discharge means traverses into the bale formingchamber for discharge of the bale. Thus, there is no danger of a baleremaining stuck or jammed in the baler as can happen in balers knownheretofore where the bale is discharged downwardly out of the baleforming chamber under gravity.

In certain embodiments of the invention the discharge means fordischarging the bale from the bale forming chamber may be provided by anindependent discharge means which may be located externally of the balerand which would traverse into the bale forming chamber for urging thebale upwardly outwardly therefrom. Preferably, the discharge means inall cases would traverse into the bale forming chamber for urging thebale from the bale forming chamber, and in particular, for urging thebale upwardly along an arcuate discharge locus between a generallyvertical direction and a generally horizontal direction, and ideally,the discharge means would traverse through the bale forming chamber forurging the bale upwardly outwardly of the bale forming chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdescription of some preferred embodiments thereof which are given by wayof example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combined baler/bale wrapper comprisinga baler according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the baler/bale wrapper of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the baler/bale wrapper of FIG. 1 in use,

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the baler/bale wrapper of FIG. 1also in use from the other side to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3,

FIG. 5 is another side perspective view of the bale/bale wrapper of inuse,

FIG. 6 is a partly cut away cross-sectional perspective view of thebaler/bale wrapper of FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is a partly diagrammatic side elevational view of the baler/balewrapper of FIG. 1,

FIGS. 8 a to 8 d are diagrammatic side elevational views of thebaler/bale wrapper of FIG. 1, in use,

FIG. 9 is a schematic side elevational view of a combined baler/balewrapper comprising a baler according to another embodiment of theinvention,

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 of the baler/bale wrapper of FIG. 9illustrating portions of the baler/bale wrapper in a different position,

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9 of the baler/bale wrapper of FIG. 9illustrating a portion of the baler/bale wrapper in a differentposition,

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 9 of the baler/bale wrapper of FIG. 9illustrating another portion of the baler/bale wrapper in a differentposition,

FIG. 13 is a rear end view of the baler/bale wrapper of FIG. 9,

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a detail of the baler/bale wrapper of FIG. 9,

FIG. 15 is a plan view of another detail of the baler/bale wrapper ofFIG. 9,

FIG. 16 is a partly diagrammatic side elevational view of the baler/balewrapper of FIG. 9,

FIGS. 17 a to 17 d are diagrammatic side elevational views of thebaler/bale wrapper of FIG. 9, in use, and

FIGS. 18 a and 18 b are diagrammatic side elevational views of a detailof a combined baler/bale wrapper according to a further embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 to 8 thereof there isillustrated a combined baler/bale wrapper indicated generally by thereference numeral 1 for forming and wrapping a cylindrical bale offodder material, typically, silage, the bale being of the type typicallyreferred to as a round bale. In this embodiment of the invention thebale formed is of diameter approximately 1.25 meters and axial length ofapproximately 1.25 meters. A bale 2 is illustrated diagrammatically inFIGS. 3 to 6 being wrapped as will be described below. The baler/balewrapper 1 is particularly suitable for towing behind a towing vehicle,such as, for example, a tractor, and is powered by the tractor, althoughthe baler/bale wrapper could be self propelled and self powered. Thebaler/bale wrapper 1 comprises a chassis 5 which is carried on a pair ofrotatably mounted ground engaging wheels 6. A framework 7 extendingforwardly from the chassis 5 terminates in a hitch (not shown) forhitching the baler/bale wrapper 1 to a tractor (not shown). The chassis5 defines a main central longitudinal axis 8 which extends centrally,horizontally and longitudinally in the general direction of forwardmotion of the chassis 5.

A baler according to the invention indicated generally by the referencenumeral 10 for sequentially forming round bales 2 of silage therein ismounted on the chassis 5 to the forward end thereof. A bale wrappingmeans, namely, a bale wrapper indicated generally by the referencenumeral 11 for wrapping each bale formed by the baler 10 is located in abale wrapping area 12 on the chassis 5 rearwardly of and adjacent thebaler 10, and in line therewith so that bales 2 formed in the baler 10can be readily transferred directly from the baler 10 to the balewrapper 11 as will be described below.

The baler 10 is a fixed chamber baler, and defines a cylindrical baleforming chamber 15 within which the bales 2 are sequentially formed. Thebale forming chamber 15 defines a main central geometrical axis 16, andthe baler 10 is located on the chassis 5 with the main central axis 16extending horizontally and transversely of the main central longitudinalaxis 8 when viewed in plan. The baler 10 is formed in three portions,namely, a stationary arcuate segment 18, a moveable lower portionprovided by a lower arcuate segment 19 and a moveable upper portionprovided by an upper arcuate segment 20, the three of which co-operatetogether in a bale forming position to define the bale forming chamber15, see FIGS. 3 to 6. The respective arcuate segments 18, 19 and 20 eachcarry bale forming means, namely, a plurality of bale forming rollers 25for rotating the material about the main central axis 16 for forming thebale in the bale forming chamber 15. The bale forming rollers 25 definethe inner circumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber, anddefine respective secondary axes 26 which extend parallel to the maincentral axis 16. The bale forming rollers 25 are rotatable about theircorresponding secondary axes 26 for rotating the material in the baleforming chamber 15 for forming the bale. A drive transmission (notshown) is provided for transmitting drive from a power take-off shaft ofthe tractor to the bale forming rollers 25 for rotating the bale formingrollers 25.

A pair of spaced apart side walls 28 extend upwardly from the chassis 5for forming the stationary segment 18. Three of the bale forming rollers25 extend between and are rotatably carried on the side walls 28 inbearings (not shown). The lower segment 19 comprises a pair of spacedapart lower side walls 30 which rotatably carry six of the bale formingrollers 25 in bearings (not shown). The lower segment 19 forms adischarge means and is pivotally carried on a first pivot shaft 32 whichin turn is carried on respective side members 33 of the chassis 5 fordischarging the bale 2 from the bale forming chamber 15. The first pivotshaft 32 defines a first pivot axis 35, and the lower segment 19 ispivotal about the first pivot axis 35 through a generally upwardlyextending arc in the direction of the arrow A from the bale formingposition to a discharge position for discharging a formed bale 2generally upwardly, rearwardly from the bale forming chamber 15 directlyto the bale forming area 12 onto the bale wrapper 11. In other words,the bale is discharged from the bale forming chamber 15 through a locusof discharge in an arc, in a general upward direction which is between ageneral vertical direction and a general horizontal direction. The firstpivot axis 35 extends parallel to the main central axis 16. The lowerside walls 30 are pivotally carried on the first pivot shaft 32, and thefirst pivot shaft 32 rotatably carries one of the bale forming rollers25 of the lower segment 19, namely, the bale forming roller 25 a.

The upper segment 20 comprises a pair of upper side walls 38 betweenwhich eight of the bale forming rollers 25 are rotatably carried inbearings (not shown). The upper segment 20 is pivotally carried on asecond pivot shaft 39 which extends between and is carried on the sidewalls 28 of the stationary segment 18, and which defines a second pivotaxis 40 extending parallel to the main central axis 16. The uppersegment 20 is pivotal in a generally upwardly forwardly direction fromthe bale forming position in the direction of the arrow B to a dischargeposition illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 whereby the upper arcuate segment20 defines an open mouth with the lower segment 19 for facilitatingtransfer of a formed bale from the bale forming chamber 15 to the balewrapper 11.

Accordingly, when the lower segment 19 and the upper segment 20 are inthe bale forming position defining with the stationary segment 18 thebale forming chamber 15, the respective stationary, lower and uppersegments 18, 19 and 20 define the bale forming chamber 15 which is offixed constant size.

The bale forming rollers 25 of the upper segment 20 extend through anangle α of approximately 180° around the circumferential periphery ofthe bale forming chamber 15, while the bale forming rollers 25 of thestationary segment 18 extend through an angle θ of approximately 25°around the circumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber 15, seeFIG. 7. The bale forming rollers 25 of the lower arcuate segment 19extend through an angle φ of approximately 30° around thecircumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber 15, see FIG. 7.When the lower segment 19 is in the bale forming position one of thebale forming rollers 25 b of the lower segment 19 defines with one ofthe bale forming rollers 25 c of the stationary segment 18 an inletopening 42 to the bale forming chamber 15 through which the foddermaterial to be baled is fed into the bale forming chamber 15 as will bedescribed below, see in particular FIGS. 6 and 7. The side walls 28 ofthe stationary segment 18, the lower side walls 30 of the lower segment19 and the upper side walls 38 of the upper segment 20 form opposite endwalls of the bale forming chamber 15 when the lower and upper segments19 and 20 are in the bale forming position, for retaining the bale inthe bale forming chamber 15 during formation thereof.

The first and second pivot shafts 32 and 39 are located adjacent thecircumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber, with theirrespective pivot axes 35 and 40 spaced apart from each otherapproximately 180° around the main central axis 16. The respective firstand second pivot axes 35 and 40 of the first and second pivot shafts 32and 39, respectively, lie in a common plane 44 with the main centralaxis 16 which is disposed at an angle γ of approximately 15° to ahorizontal plane 46 containing the main central axis 16, see FIG. 7.Accordingly, the first pivot axis 35 is disposed below the horizontalplane 46 about the main central axis 16 an angular distance ofapproximately 15°, and the second pivot axis 40 is disposed above thehorizontal plane 46 about the main central axis 16 an angular distanceof approximately 15°, see FIG. 7. In other words, the first and secondpivot shafts 32 and 39 are located at substantially diametricallyopposite sides of the bale forming chamber 15. Accordingly, by virtue ofthe fact that the second pivot axis 40 is disposed an angular distanceof only 15° above the horizontal plane 46 containing the main centralaxis 16, the upper segment 18 when pivoting between the bale formingposition and the discharge position pivots in a generally upwardlyforwardly direction, thus causing minimum interference with the balewrapper 11 when pivoting between the bale forming and dischargepositions. Additionally, by virtue of the fact that the first pivot axis35 is disposed an angular distance of approximately 15° below thehorizontal plane 46 containing the main central axis 16, the lowersegment 19 is pivoted in a generally upwardly direction from the baleforming position to the discharge position for thus urging the balethrough a generally upwardly rearwardly directed arc from the baleforming chamber 15.

A first urging means provided by a pair of first hydraulic rams 41 onopposite sides of the chassis 5, see FIG. 8, act between the chassis 5and the lower segment 19 for pivoting the lower segment 19 in thedirections of the arrows A and C between the bale forming position andthe discharge position. A second urging means provided by a pair ofsecond hydraulic rams 43 on respective opposite sides of the baler 10,acting between the lower segment 19 and the upper segment 20, pivot theupper segment 20 about the second pivot shaft 39 in the direction of thearrows B and D between the bale forming and discharge positions, seeFIG. 8. The first and second rams 41 and 43 are powered throughhydraulic circuitry and hydraulic control circuitry (not shown) by thehydraulics power supply of the tractor or by an on-board hydraulic powersupply. Such hydraulic circuitry will be well known to those skilled inthe art.

A pick-up rake mechanism 45 (see FIG. 6) is provided forwardly of theinlet opening 42 beneath the chassis 5 for picking up fodder from theground, and delivering the fodder through the inlet opening 42 into thebale forming chamber 15, such pick-up mechanisms will be well known tothose skilled in the art. The bale forming rollers 25 b and 25 c whichdefine the inlet opening 42 define respective lower and upper edges 47and 48, respectively, of the inlet opening 42. Both the lower and upperedges 47 and 48 of the inlet opening 42 are located at respective levelswhich are below the level of a horizontal plane 49 which contains thefirst pivot axis 35, see FIG. 7. Accordingly, in this embodiment of theinvention the entire inlet opening 42 is at a level below the firstpivot axis, and thus is below the level at which the bale is dischargedfrom the bale forming chamber 15 which is at a level above the firstpivot shaft 32. This, thus, facilitates the baler 10 being located onthe chassis 5 at a level suitable for picking up fodder from the ground,while at the same time discharging the bale 2 from the bale formingchamber 15 at a level which permits direct transfer by the lower segment19 from the bale forming chamber 15 onto the bale wrapper 11 at a levelwhich is suitable for wrapping the bale 2, without the need for furtherelevating mechanisms for elevating the bale onto the bale wrapper 11.

A gap 58, see FIGS. 6 and 7, is provided between one of the bale formingrollers 25 d of the stationary segment 18, and one of the bale formingrollers 25 e in the upper segment 20 for accommodating netting (notshown) from a roll (also not shown) mounted on the upper segment 20 forwrapping around the circumference of a formed bale in the bale formingchamber 15 prior to the formed bale being transferred from the baler 10for retaining the material of the formed bale together prior to it beingwrapped with film material by the bale wrapper 11. The provision and useof such netting material in the formation of a round bale will be wellknown to those skilled in the art. Instead of netting, twine or plasticsmaterial film may be fed through the gap 58 between the bale formingrollers 25 d and 25 e for tying or wrapping around the circumference ofthe formed bale in the bale forming chamber 15, for retaining thematerial of the bale together until it has been wrapped by the balewrapper 11.

The bale wrapper 11 is a two axes bale wrapper, and comprises a balesupport means in this embodiment of the invention provided by a pair ofspaced apart first and second bale supporting rollers 50 a and 50 b,respectively, which support and rotate the bale 2 during wrapping. Thefirst and second bale supporting rollers 50 are rotatably carried on asupport framework 51, which is pivotally carried on the chassis 5, aswill be described below. The bale supporting rollers 50 define centralgeometrical axes 52, which extend horizontally and parallel to eachother and parallel to the main central axis 16 of the bale formingchamber 15. The bale supporting rollers 50 receive a formed baledirectly from the baler 10 with the central axis of the bale parallel tothe axes 52 of the bale supporting rollers 50. A first drive meansprovided by a first drive motor (not shown) is provided for driving oneor both of the bale supporting rollers 50 about their respectivegeometrical axes 52 for rotating the bale 2 about a horizontal firstwrapping axis 53 which coincides with the central geometric axis of thebale during wrapping of the bale 2. The first wrapping axis 53 extendsparallel to the main central axis 16 defined by the bale forming chamber15 and transversely of the main central longitudinal axis 8 defined bythe chassis 5.

A wrapping material dispensing means for dispensing sheet wrappingmaterial for wrapping the bale 2 on the bale supporting rollers 50comprises a pair of wrapping material dispensers 54 which are carried ona carrier means, namely, a carrier ring 55. The carrier ring 55 isrotatably carried on a pair of upstanding supports 57 extending upwardlyfrom the chassis 5, and extends completely around a bale 2 supported onthe bale supporting rollers 50. The carrier ring 55 defines a centralaxis which in turn defines a second wrapping axis 56 about which thecarrier ring 55 is rotatable for revolving the respective wrappingmaterial dispensers 54 along a circular locus of travel defined by thecarrier ring 55, so that the wrapping material dispensers 54 revolvearound the bale 2 and about the second wrapping axis 56 simultaneouslywhile the bale 2 is being rotated about the first wrapping axis 53 bythe support rollers 50. The second wrapping axis 56 extends horizontallyand parallel to the main central longitudinal axis 8 of the chassis 5,and thus perpendicularly to the first wrapping axis 53 about which thebale 2 is rotated on the bale supporting rollers 50.

Bearings (not shown) which are carried on the upstanding supports 57rollably carry the carrier ring 55. Carrier rollers (not shown) mountedon side members 60 of the chassis 5 rollably engage the carrier ring 55.A second drive means, namely, a second drive motor (not shown) drivesthe carrier rollers (not shown) for in turn rotating the carrier ring 55and in turn the wrapping material dispensers 54 about the secondwrapping axis 56.

The first and second drive motors (not shown) are hydraulically poweredmotors, and are synchronised so that the respective rotational speeds ofthe bale supporting rollers 50 and the carrier ring 55 are synchronisedfor wrapping the bale.

The wrapping material dispensers 54 are conventional sheet wrappingmaterial dispensers which support respective rolls 62 of plastics filmsheet material, and are provided with tensioning rollers 63 fortensioning the film material as it is being drawn from the correspondingroll 62 for wrapping the bale.

The axes 52 of first and second bale supporting rollers 50 are containedin a horizontal plane 61 which is at a level slightly below thehorizontal plane 49 containing the first pivot axis 35 for facilitatingtransfer of the bale 2 from the lower segment 19 of the baler onto thebale supporting rollers 50, see FIG. 7. It is envisaged that thehorizontal plane 61 containing the axes 52 of the bale supportingrollers 50 may coincide with the horizontal plane 49 containing thefirst pivot axis 35, or indeed, in certain cases may be slightly abovethe horizontal plane 49 containing the first pivot axis 35. Although inthis embodiment of the invention it is preferable that the horizontalplane 61 containing the central axes 52 of the bale supporting rollers50 should be below or just below the horizontal plane 49 containing thefirst pivot axis 35.

Additionally, the baler 10 and the bale wrapper 11 are located on thechassis 5 relatively closely to each other so that the first balesupporting roller 50 a is located relatively closely to the first pivotshaft 32, and in other words, to the bale forming roller 25 a of thebaler 10. However, a relatively short horizontal distance S (see FIG. 7)between the first pivot axis 35 and the central axis 52 of the firstbale supporting roller 50 a is required in order to accommodate someoverhang of the bale 2 when supported on the bale supporting rollers 50in order to avoid the bale supported on the bale supporting rollers 50interfering with the baler 10. By keeping the horizontal distance Sbetween the first pivot axis 35 and the central axis 52 of the firstbale supporting roller 50 a short, ease of transfer of the bale from thebale forming chamber 15 onto the bale supporting rollers 50 isfacilitated, and additionally, the overall length of the baler/balewrapper 1 is minimised.

Turning now to the support framework 51, the support framework 51comprises a pair of L-shaped members 64 on respective opposite sides ofthe chassis 5, which are pivotally connected to the side member 60 ofthe chassis 5 by respective pivot shafts 65. The first bale supportingroller 50 is rotatably carried on the respective L-shaped members 64,while the second bale supporting roller 50 is rotatably carried onupstanding supports 66, which extend upwardly from the L-shaped members64. Screws 67 rigidly secure the upstanding supports 66 to the L-shapedmembers 64. A ground engaging roller 68 is also rotatably carriedbetween the L-shaped members 64.

A bale dispensing means provided by a pair of dispensing rams (notshown) mounted between the side members 60 of the chassis 5 and thecorresponding L-shaped members 64 are provided for pivoting the supportframework 51 around the pivot shafts 65 in the direction of the arrow Efor dispensing a wrapped bale from the first and second bale supportingrollers 50 to the ground. The dispensing rams (not shown) pivot thesupport framework 51 in the direction of the arrow E until the groundengaging roller 68 engages the ground. On the wrapped bale having beendispensed from the first and second bale supporting rollers 50, thesupport framework 51 is returned by the dispensing rams to the positionillustrated in FIG. 1 with the first and second bale supporting rollers50 ready for receiving the next bale 2 from the bale forming chamber 15.

In use, the baler/bale wrapper 1 is hitched to a tractor, and thehydraulic and mechanical power supplies from the tractor areappropriately connected to the baler/bale wrapper for powering thereof.Rolls 62 of opaque plastics sheet film material are loaded in thewrapping material dispensers 54. The stationary, lower and upper arcuatesegments 18, 19 and 20 are urged into the bale forming positionillustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8 a. As the baler/bale wrapper 1 isdrawn forward by the tractor grass, hay, straw or other fibrous foddermaterial to be baled is picked up from the ground by the pick-up rakemechanism 45 and delivered into the bale forming chamber 15 through theinlet opening 42. As the fodder material is urged into the bale formingchamber 15, the rotating bale forming rollers 25 rotate the foddermaterial about the main central axis 16 for in turn forming a bale 2. Onthe bale being formed, netting from the roll of netting (not shown)mounted on the upper segment 20 is drawn into the bale forming chamberand wrapped around the formed bale in the bale forming chamber 15 forretaining the baled material together in the bale. This operation willbe well known to those skilled in the art.

The upper arcuate segment 20 is then initially pivoted generallyupwardly in the direction of the arrow B by the second rams 43, see FIG.8 b, for forming with the lower arcuate segment 19 the open mouth. Afterpivoting of the upper segment 20 from the bale forming position hascommenced to a position substantially similar to that illustrated inFIG. 8 b, the first rams 41 are activated for commencing pivoting of thelower segment 19 from the bale forming position in the direction of thearrow A, see FIG. 8 c. The upper and lower segments 20 and 19,respectively, are simultaneously pivoted by the second and first rams 43and 41, respectively in the directions of the arrows B and A,respectively until both the upper segment 20 and the lower segment 19are in their respective discharge positions, see FIG. 8 d.

As the lower segment 19 pivots from the bale forming position to thedischarge position the lower segment 19 sweeps through the bale formingchamber 15 for urging the formed bale 2 in a generally upwardlyrearwardly outwardly direction from the bale forming chamber 15, andeffectively tips the bale 2 from the bale forming chamber 15 onto thefirst bale supporting roller 50, see FIG. 8 d. Once the lower segment 19is in the discharge position the centre of gravity of the formed bale 2is located relative to the first bale supporting roller 50 a forpivoting the bale 2 about the first bale supporting roller 50 a in thedirection of the arrow F, for continuing the transfer of the formed bale2 onto the respective first and second bale supporting rollers 50, seeFIG. 8 d.

On the bale 2 being tipped from the lower segment 19 onto the first andsecond bale supporting rollers 50 the first rams 41 are operated forpivoting the lower segment 19 in the direction of the arrow C forreturning the lower segment 19 to the bale forming position. Afterinitial pivoting of the lower segment 19 from the discharge position hascommenced, the second rams 43 are operated for pivoting the uppersegment 20 from the discharge position to the bale forming position. Thefirst and second rams 41 and 43 are operated so that the lower segment19 is returned to the bale forming position just before the uppersegment 20 is returned to the bale forming position. The pivoting of theupper and lower segments 20 and 19 by the second and first rams 43 and41 is synchronised so that as the lower segment 19 is pivoting in thedirection of the arrow A with a formed bale thereon, the upper segment20 has been pivoted through a sufficient angle to provide clearance forthe bale as it is being transferred from the bale forming chamber 15.

Once the formed bale 2 has been tipped by the lower segment 19 onto thebale supporting rollers 50, the bale supporting rollers commencerotating the bale around the first wrapping axis, namely, the horizontalgeometric axis of the bale 2. Simultaneously, rotation of the carrierring 55 about the second wrapping axis 56 is commenced, and filmmaterial from the wrapping material dispenser 54 is attached to the bale2 being rotated on the first and second bale supporting rollers 50.Mechanisms for attaching the film material from the wrapping materialdispensers 54 to the bale 2 as the dispensers 54 are revolved around thesecond wrapping axis 56 will be well known to those skilled in the art.As the carrier ring 55 rotates about the second wrapping axis 56 filmmaterial from the wrapping material dispensers 54 is wrapped onto thebale 2. Simultaneous rotation of the bale 2 about the first wrappingaxis 53 and revolving of the wrapping material dispensers 54 about thesecond wrapping axis 56 cause the film wrapping material to be drawnfrom the dispensers 54 and wrapped in overlapping layers onto the bale2.

On the bale 2 being wrapped, a cutting mechanism (not shown) associatedwith each of the wrapping material dispensers 54 cuts the film material,thus isolating the wrapped bale from the wrapping material dispensers54. Such cutting mechanisms will be well known to those skilled in theart. The dispensing rams (not shown) are then operated for pivoting thecarrier framework 51 about the pivot shafts 65 in the direction of thearrow E for dispensing the wrapped bale from the first and second balesupporting rollers 50 onto the ground. The dispensing rams are thenoperated in reverse for returning the supporting framework 51 forreceiving the next formed bale from the baler 10.

While each bale is being wrapped on the bale wrapper 11 the next bale issimultaneously being formed in the bale forming chamber 15, and once thenext bale 2 has been formed, transfer of the formed bale from the baleforming chamber 15 onto the first and second bale supporting rollers 50is again carried out as already described, and so operation of thecombined baler/bale wrapper 1 continues.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 to 17 there is illustrated a baler/bale wrapperindicated generally by the reference numeral 70, which comprises a baler10 according to another embodiment of the invention. The baler/balewrapper 70 is substantially similar to the baler/bale wrapper 1, andsimilar components are identified by the same reference numerals.However, in order to facilitate an understanding of the principle of theinvention, only those components which are essential to the operatingprinciple of the invention are clearly illustrated. The remainingcomponents are assumed to be present.

The baler 10 of this embodiment of the invention is substantiallysimilar to the baler 10 of the baler/bale wrapper 1, although in thiscase the lower segment 19 comprises only five bale forming rollers 25,and the bale forming rollers 25 extend through the angle φ in thisembodiment of the invention of approximately 75° around thecircumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber 15. A pair ofmounting brackets 73 extending upwardly from the chassis 5 on respectiveopposite sides of the baler 10 pivotally and rotatably carry the firstpivot shaft 32 about which the lower segment 19 is pivotal from the baleforming position to the discharge position for tipping a formed baleonto the bale wrapper 11.

First and second urging means provided by respective pairs of first andsecond rams 71 and 72 for urging the respective lower segment 19 andupper segment 20 between the bale forming position and their respectivedischarge positions are provided. The first rams 71 are located onrespective opposite sides of the baler 10 and extend between respectivepivot anchorages 74 on respective opposite sides of the chassis 5 andrespective pivot anchorages 75 on the respective lower side walls 30 ofthe lower segment 19. The second rams 72 are located on respectiveopposite sides of the baler 10, and are connected between respectivepivot anchorages 76 on the lower side walls 30 of the lower segment 19and respective pivot anchorages 77 on the upper side walls 38 of theupper segment 20.

An hydraulic control circuit (not shown) which comprises a plurality ofhydraulic valves (also not shown) controls the operation of therespective first and second rams 71 and 72 so that when the lower andupper segments 19 and 20 are in the bale forming position and a bale hasbeen formed in the bale forming chamber 15, the second rams 72 areinitially operated for pivoting the upper segment 20 about the secondpivot axis 40 upwardly relative to the baler 10 for defining with thelower segment 19 the open mouth for facilitating transfer of a formedbale from the baler 10. After the second rams have pivoted the uppersegment 20 through a sufficient angle to provide clearance for the balebeing transferred by the bale forming chamber 15, the first rams 71 areoperated for pivoting the lower segment 19 about the first pivot axis 35upwardly for tipping the formed bale from the lower segment 19 onto tothe bale wrapper 11.

Turning now to the bale wrapper 11, the bale wrapper 11 comprises asupport framework 79 extending rearwardly from the chassis 5. First andsecond bale supporting rollers 80 and 81, respectively, are supported onthe support framework 79 for receiving a formed bale for wrapping fromthe baler 10. The first and second bale supporting rollers 80 and 81,respectively, are spaced apart from each other on the support framework79 and extend parallel to each other and parallel to the main centralaxis 16 as in the case of the bale wrapper 11 of the baler/bale wrapper1. However, in this embodiment of the invention the first balesupporting roller 80 is carried on a first roller carrier means, namely,a first carrier framework 83 which is slideably mounted on respectiveinclined guide tracks 84 located on the support framework 79 onrespective opposite sides of the chassis 5. The first carrier framework83 is slideable upwardly and downwardly for urging the first balesupporting roller 80 between an upper bale wrapping position asillustrated in FIGS. 9 and 17 a and a lower bale receiving position asillustrated in FIGS. 10 and 17 d for facilitating transfer of a formedbale from the lower segment 19 of the baler 10 onto the bale wrapper 11.

A connecting means comprising a pair of connecting linkage 85 onrespective opposite sides of the baler 10 connects the first carrierframework 83 to the lower segment 19, so that as the lower segment 19pivots from the bale forming position to the discharge position, thefirst carrier framework 83 is urged downwardly from the bale wrappingposition into the lower bale receiving position for facilitating thetransfer of a formed bale from the lower segment 19 onto the balewrapper 11.

Each connecting linkage 85 comprises a pivot member 87 which ispivotally carried in the chassis 5 on a pivot shaft 86. A connecting rod89 extending from the corresponding pivot member 87 connects thecorresponding pivot member 87 to the first carrier framework 83 atcorresponding side thereof. The connecting rods 89 are pivotallyconnected to the first carrier framework 83 and to the correspondingpivot members 87. A telescoping connecting rod 90 connects thecorresponding pivot members 87 to corresponding lower side wall 30 ofthe lower segment 19 for facilitating limited free movement between thelower segment 19 and the pivot members 87, and in turn the first carrierframework 83. The telescoping connecting rods 90 are connected to thecorresponding pivot members 87 by pivotal connections 91 and to therespective lower side walls 30 of the lower segment 19 by pivotanchorages 92. During pivotal travel of the lower segment 19 from thebale forming position to the discharge position the travel of thepivotal anchorage 92 is greater than the required travel of the firstcarrier framework 83 between the bale wrapping position and the lowerbale receiving position, and thus the greater travel of the pivotanchorages 92 relative to the pivot connections 91 is accommodated bythe telescoping connecting rods 90.

Additionally, the support framework 79 comprises a second roller carriermeans, namely, a second carrier framework 94 which carries the secondbale supporting roller 81. The second carrier framework 94 is pivotallyconnected to the support framework 79 by pivot pins 95, and is pivotalbetween a first position with the second bale supporting roller 81 inthe bale wrapping position, see FIG. 9, and a second position with thesecond bale supporting roller 81 in a lower bale dispensing position,see FIG. 12, for facilitating dispensing of a wrapped bale from the balewrapper 11 onto the ground. A pair of dispensing hydraulic rams (notshown) connected between the support framework 79 and the second carrierframework 94 pivot the second carrier framework 94 between the first andsecond positions, and in turn the second bale supporting roller 81between the bale wrapping position and the lower bale dispensingposition, respectively.

An hydraulic motor (not shown) is located on the first carrier framework83 for rotating the first bale supporting roller 80. An hydraulic motor82 is mounted on the second carrier framework 94 for rotating the secondbale supporting roller 81. The first and second bale supporting rollers80 and 81 are rotated in the directions of the arrows X and Y forrotating the formed bale 2 about the first wrapping axis 53 in thedirection of the arrow Z.

The wrapping material dispensers 54 are illustrated in blockrepresentation mounted on the carrier ring 55. The carrier ring 55 iscarried on a pair of carrier rollers 96, which are in turn rotatablycarried on the support framework 79. Hydraulic motors (not shown)mounted on the support framework 79 drive the carrier rollers 76 in thedirections of the arrows J and K, for in turn rotating the carrier ring55 about the second wrapping axis 56 in the direction of the arrow L,see FIG. 13. A pair of idler guide rollers 97 carried on the upstandingsupports 57 retain the carrier ring 55 in a vertical plane. The carrierrollers 96 and the guide rollers 97 are flanged rollers, see FIG. 15 forengaging and retaining the carrier ring 55 in a vertical plane.

In this embodiment of the invention the first and second pivot axes 35and 40 are not contained in a common plane with the central pivot axis16 of the bale forming chamber 15, see FIG. 16. Rather, the first pivotaxis 35 is contained in a plane 44 a with the main central axis 16 whilethe second pivot axis 40 is contained in a plane 44 b with the maincentral axis 16. The plane 44 a which contains the first pivot axis 35and the main central axis 16 makes an angle γ¹ with the horizontal axis46 through the main central axis 16 of approximately 40°. The plane 44 bwhich contains the second pivot axis 40 and the main central axis 16makes an angle γ² of approximately 13° with the horizontal axis 46.Accordingly, the first and second pivot axes 35 and 40 are spaced apartan angle α about the main central axis 16 of approximately 207° on theupward side of the bale forming chamber 15. The bale forming rollers 25of the stationary segment 18 extend around the circumferential peripheryof the bale forming chamber an angular distance θ of approximately 30°.

Accordingly, in this embodiment of the invention the first pivot axis islocated in the circumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber anangular distance below the horizontal axis 46 an angular distance γ¹ ofapproximately 40°. The second pivot axis 40 is located in thecircumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber 15 above thehorizontal plane 46 an angular distance γ² of approximately 13°. In thisembodiment of the invention the first pivot axis 35 is located above thelower edge 47 of the inlet opening 42 but below the upper edge 48 of theinlet opening 42. In fact, the first pivot axis 35 is located at a levelbelow the horizontal axis 46 which substantially coincides with a midwayposition between the lower edge 47 and the upper edge 48 of the inletopening 42. However, as can be seen from FIG. 16 the bale forming roller25 a which is rotatable about the first pivot axis 35 is of diametersuch that the upper level of the bale forming roller 25 a is above thelevel of the inlet opening 42 to the bale forming chamber 15, and thus,the bale is discharged from the bale forming chamber at a level which isentirely above the inlet opening 42.

The central axes 52 of the first and second bale supporting rollers 80and 81 when in the bale wrapping position are contained in thehorizontal plane 61. However, the horizontal plane 61 when the first andsecond bale supporting rollers 80 and 81 are in the bale wrappingposition is at a level above the horizontal plane 49 of the first pivotaxis 35. However, when the first bale supporting roller 80 is in thebale receiving position, the first bale supporting roller 80 is at alevel below the horizontal plane 49 of the first pivot axis 35 forthereby facilitating direct transfer of the bale from the bale formingchamber 15 onto the first and second bale supporting rollers 80 and 81.

Otherwise the baler/bale wrapper 70 is substantially similar to thebaler/bale wrapper 1, and its operation is also substantially similar.

In use, material to be baled, for example, grass, hay, straw or the likeis picked up by the pick-up mechanism 45 and fed into the bale formingchamber 15 where it is rotated about the main central axis 16 and formedinto a bale. On the bale being formed netting from the roll of netting(not shown) mounted on the upper segment 20 is drawn into the baleforming chamber and wrapped around the formed bale in the bale formingchamber 15 for retaining the baled material together in the bale. Thefirst and second hydraulic rams 71 and 72 are then operated in sequencefor initially pivoting the upper segment 20 from the bale formingposition towards the discharge position for defining the open mouth withthe lower segment 19, see FIG. 17 b. While the upper segment 20 ispivoting towards the discharge position, pivoting of the lower segment19 upwardly from the bale forming position to the discharge positioncommences for tipping the bale upwardly rearwardly directly from thebale forming chamber 15 onto the bale wrapper 11, see FIG. 17 c.

As the lower segment 19 is being pivoted upwardly by the second rams 72the first bale supporting roller 80 is urged downwardly in the directionof the arrow G from the bale wrapping position to the bale receivingposition for facilitating transfer of the bale from the lower segment 19onto the bale wrapper 11, see FIGS. 17 c and 17 d. When the lowersegment 19 has pivoted into the bale discharge position, the first balesupporting roller 80 is in the bale receiving position, see FIG. 16 d,thereby facilitating ease of transfer of the bale from the lower segment19 onto the first and second bale supporting rollers 80 and 81.

The first and second rams 71 and 72 are then operated in the reversesequence for initially commencing return of the lower segment 19 to thebale forming position, and while the lower segment 19 is being returnedto the bale forming position, return of the upper segment 20 to the baleforming position is commenced. The lower segment 19 and the uppersegment 20 are returned to the bale forming position with the lowersegment 19 reaching the bale forming position just before the uppersegment 20 reaches the bale forming position. As the lower segment 19 isbeing returned to the bale forming position, the first bale supportingroller 80 is raised into the bale wrapping position, and the balewrapper 11 is ready to wrap the bale.

The first and second bale supporting rollers 80 and 81 are rotated inthe direction of the arrows X and Y for rotating the bale about thefirst wrapping axis 53. Simultaneously the carrier ring 55 is rotatedabout the second wrapping axis 56 in the direction of the arrow L by thecarrier rollers 96 for in turn simultaneously revolving the wrappingmaterial dispensers 54 around the bale 2. As the bale 2 is being rotatedabout the first wrapping axis 53 and the wrapping material dispensers 54are being revolved about the second wrapping axis 56, film material isdispensed onto the formed bale 2 for wrapping thereof.

When the bale 2 has been wrapped the second carrier framework 94 ispivoted from the first position to the second position, for in turnpivoting the second bale supporting roller 81 to the lower baledispensing position for dispensing the wrapped bale 2 from the balewrapper 11 to the ground.

While the bale 2 on the bale wrapper 11 is being wrapped, the next baleis being formed simultaneously in the bale forming chamber 15, and sooperation of the combined baler/bale wrapper 70 continues.

In both the baler/bale wrappers 1 and 70 according to the invention themain central longitudinal axis 8 defined by the baler/bale wrapper 1extends substantially horizontally and longitudinally of the baler/balewrapper 1. The main central axis 16 defined by the bale forming chamber15 extends transversely of the main central longitudinal axis 8 and alsohorizontally. Accordingly, the first and second pivot axes 35 and 40,respectively, also extend transversely of the main central longitudinalaxis 8 and also horizontally. The roller axes of the respective firstand second bale supporting rollers 50 of the bale/bale wrapper 1, andthe roller axes of the respective first and second bale supportingrollers 80 and 81 of the baler/bale wrapper 70 also extend transverselyof the main central longitudinal axis 8 and horizontally. In fact, theroller axes of the first and second bale supporting rollers and thefirst and second pivot axes 35 and 40 all extend parallel to the maincentral axis 16 defined by the bale forming chamber 15. The firstwrapping axis 53 of the bale during wrapping in the bale wrapper 11 alsoextends horizontally and parallel to the main central axis 16 defined bythe bale forming chamber 15, while the second wrapping axis 56 aboutwhich the wrapping material dispensers 54 are revolved extends parallelto the main central longitudinal axis 8. Additionally the first andsecond wrapping axes extend horizontally, and in many cases may lie in acommon horizontal plane. It is this arrangement of the baler 10 and thebale wrapper 11 on the chassis 5 which provides the combined baler/balewrappers 1 and 70 according to the invention with their many advantageshereinbefore described over and above combined baler/bale wrappers knownheretofore.

As discussed above, the first bale supporting roller is located as closeas possible to the first pivot axis 35 so that the distance S betweenthe rotational axis of the first bale supporting roller and the firstpivot axis is as small as possible. However, in order to accommodate anoverhang of the bale on the bale supporting rollers of the bale wrapperbetween the first bale supporting roller and the baler, it is desirablethat the rotational axis of the first supporting roller should be spacedapart from the first pivot axis. In general, it has been found that byarranging the baler and the bale wrapper relative to each other on thechassis so that the horizontal distance between a vertical planeextending through the main central axis of the bale forming chamber anda vertical plane extending through the first wrapping axis lies in therange of a distance corresponding to the diameter of the bale plus 300mm and a distance corresponding to the diameter of the bale plus 800 mma desirable relative location between the baler and the bale wrapper isachieved.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 a and 18 b, there is illustrated a portion 100of another combined baler/bale wrapper. The baler/bale wrapper 100 issubstantially identical to the baler/bale wrapper 70, and similarcomponents are identified by the same reference numerals. The only partof the baler/bale wrapper 100 which is different to that of thebaler/bale wrapper 70 is in the portion which is diagrammaticallyillustrated in FIGS. 18 a and 18 b. In this embodiment of the inventionan intermediate roller 101 is disposed between the baler 10 and the balewrapper 11 for supporting each bale 2 as it is being transferred fromthe bale forming chamber 15 of the baler 10 onto the first and secondbale supporting rollers 80 and 81 of the bale wrapper 11. Theintermediate roller 101 is rotatably carried in a fixed position on thechassis 5, and extends parallel to the main central axis 16 defined bythe bale forming chamber 15. Thus, the intermediate roller 101 isparallel to the first pivot axis 35 of the lower segment 19 of the baler10 and extends also parallel to the first and second bale supportingrollers 80 and 81 of the bale wrapper 11. The intermediate roller 101 islocated between the first pivot axis 35, and thus the bale formingroller 25 a of the lower segment 19 and the first bale supporting roller80, and is located relatively closely to the respective bale formingroller 25 a and the first bale supporting roller 80. In this embodimentof the invention the roller axes 52 of the first and second balesupporting rollers 80 and 81 and the first pivot axis 35 of the lowersegment 19 lie in a common horizontal plane 102 when the first andsecond bale supporting rollers 80 and 81 are in the bale wrappingposition. When the first and second bale supporting rollers 80 and 81and the first pivot axis 35 lie in the common horizontal plane 102, theintermediate roller 101 is located at a level below the commonhorizontal plane 102. However, when the first bale supporting roller 80takes up the bale receiving position, the intermediate roller 101 liesin an inclined common plane 103 with the first pivot axis 35 and theroller axis 52 of the first bale supporting roller 80 for facilitatingease of transfer of the bale 5 directly from the bale forming chamber 15onto the first and second bale supporting rollers 80 and 81 when thefirst bale supporting roller 80 is in the bale receiving position.

Otherwise, the baler/bale wrapper 100 is similar to the baler/balewrapper 70 described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 17, and its use andoperation is also similar. The provision of the intermediate roller 101which is located in a fixed position relative to the baler 1 and thebale wrapper 11 assists in the smooth transfer of the bale from the baleforming chamber 15 to the bale wrapper 11, and also acts to support thebale as it is being transferred from the bale forming chamber 15 to thebale wrapper 11. Although in the embodiment of the invention describedthe intermediate roller 101 is an idler roller, the intermediate roller101 may be a driven roller for assisting in the transfer of the balefrom the bale forming chamber 15 to the first and second bale supportingrollers 80 and 81.

It is envisaged that other suitable connecting means for connecting thefirst bale supporting roller to the lower segment of the baler besidesthe connecting linkage described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 17 may beprovided. For example, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the firstbale supporting roller may be carried on a support rigidly extendingfrom the lower segment which would extend rearwardly from the lowersegment beyond the first pivot axis, so that as the lower segment isbeing pivoted upwardly from the bale forming position the support memberand the first bale supporting roller would pivot downwardly into thebale receiving position.

It is also envisaged that the discharge means instead of being providedby a lower arcuate segment of the baler may be formed by any lowerportion of the baler, for example, it is envisaged that one or more ofthe bale forming rollers could be mounted on a pivotally mounted carrierarm, which would be pivotally mounted relative to the baler for urgingthe bale one or more bale forming rollers inwardly into the bale formingchamber in a generally upwardly direction for discharging the baleupwardly outwardly from the bale forming chamber. It is also envisagedthat side portions of, for example, the lower segment could be operablefor clamping the bale therebetween and for discharging the bale upwardlyoutwardly of the bale forming chamber. It is also envisaged that thedischarge means may be provided by an urging member which would not formpart of the bale forming chamber, and which would be urgeable into thebale forming chamber for in turn discharging the bale upwardly outwardlyof the bale forming chamber. Such a discharge means could be locatedexternally of the bale forming chamber and would be operable to extendinto and traverse the bale forming chamber for discharging the baletherefrom.

Further, it is envisaged that the discharge means could be provided by ameans for rotating the rollers in the lower segment, and indeed,possibly in the stationary segment when the upper segment is pivotedinto the discharge position for urging the bale from the bale formingchamber.

While the baler of the baler according to the invention has beendescribed as being fixed chamber balers whereby the bale forming chamberis formed by bale forming rollers, it is envisaged that the baler may beof the fixed chamber type in which the bale forming chamber instead ofbeing defined by bale forming rollers is defined by a bale forming beltor belts, whereby the belt or belts define a bale forming chamber. Sucha baler is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,596 of Welger.Alternatively, the bale forming chamber may be defined by a plurality ofslats carried on one or more chains or pairs of chains which define abale forming chamber. The baler may also be of the type disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 4,651,512 of Texas Industries, which is considered to be afixed chamber baler, although a portion of the periphery of the baleforming chamber is moveable inwardly into the bale forming chamber forcompressing the material in the bale forming chamber initially when baleforming commences, until the bale diameter increases. The baler may alsobe of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,379. However, in allsuch cases, the baler would be arranged with a discharge means forurging the bale in a generally upwardly outwardly direction from thebale forming chamber, and in particular, in a direction whereby the baleis discharged along a locus of transfer extending in a general upwarddirection between a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.

It is envisaged that while the various motors for driving the variouscomponents of the baler and the bale wrapper have been described asbeing hydraulic motors, any other suitable motors whether electricallypowered, pneumatically powered or otherwise could be provided. It isalso envisaged that the first and second urging means for urging thelower and upper segments of the baler between the bale forming positionand the discharge position may be provided by any suitable urging meansand where provided by rams could be provided by pneumatic rams.

While the balers described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18 have beendescribed as forming part of a combined baler/bale wrapper, it will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art that the baler according tothe invention may be provided as a single unit without the bale wrapper.In such cases, it is envisaged that the balers according to theinvention would be particularly suitable for use in conjunction with abale accumulator, whereby bales formed by the baler could be accumulatedfor subsequent discharge. The bale accumulator could be provided as apart integrally formed with the baler, or may be provided as a separatetrailed unit, which would be attached to and trailed behind the baler.The particular advantage of the balers according to the invention isthat by virtue of the fact that the bales are discharged in a generallyupwardly direction between a vertical direction and a horizontaldirection, the bales can be discharged directly into the baleaccumulator, thereby facilitating the provision of a relatively highslung accumulator. Needless to say, the baler according to the inventionmay be provided in conjunction with any other apparatus besides a balewrapper or a bale accumulator, and as discussed above, may be providedas a single unit.

1. A fixed chamber baler for forming a cylindrical bale of material, thebaler comprising: a bale forming chamber defining the bale, and withinwhich the bale is formed, the bale forming chamber defining ageometrical main central axis and being formed by arcuate segments whichform a circumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber, one ofwhich arcuate segments is a lower arcuate segment, and a discharge meansfor discharging a formed bale from the bale forming chamber, thedischarge means being formed by the lower arcuate segment, the lowerarcuate segment being operable in a bale forming position co-operatingwith the other ones of the arcuate segments for defining the baleforming chamber and for forming the bale in the bale forming chamber,and being moveable in a generally upwardly direction into the baleforming chamber for discharging the bale from the bale forming chamberin a general upwardly outwardly direction therefrom.
 2. A baler asclaimed in claim 1 in which the lower arcuate segment traverses throughthe bale forming chamber for urging the bale from the bale formingchamber.
 3. A baler as claimed in claim 1 in which the lower arcuatesegment traverses through the main central axis of the bale formingchamber for urging the bale from the bale forming chamber.
 4. A baler asclaimed in claim 1 in which the lower arcuate segment discharges thebale from the bale forming chamber along a locus of discharge extendingin a general direction between a vertical direction and a horizontaldirection.
 5. A baler as claimed in claim 4 in which the locus ofdischarge along which the lower arcuate segment discharges the bale fromthe bale forming chamber is a generally arcuate locus.
 6. A baler asclaimed in claim 1 in which the lower arcuate segment is moveable from athe bale forming position to a discharge position for discharging thebale from the bale forming chamber.
 7. A baler as claimed in claim 1 inwhich the lower arcuate segment is pivotally mounted about a first pivotaxis and is pivotal in the generally upwardly direction into the baleforming chamber from the bale forming position about the first pivotaxis for tipping the bale from the bale forming chamber.
 8. A baler asclaimed in claim 7 in which the first pivot axis is parallel to the maincentral axis defined by the bale forming chamber.
 9. A baler as claimedin claim 1 in which the lower arcuate segment extends around thecircumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber an angulardistance in the range of 50° to 160°.
 10. A baler as claimed in claim 7in which an upper arcuate segment of the arcuate segments which form thecircumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber is moveablebetween a bale forming position co-operating with the other ones of thearcuate segments for forming the bale forming chamber and a dischargeposition defining with the other ones of the arcuate segments an openmouth to the bale forming chamber for facilitating discharge of the balefrom the bale forming chamber by the lower arcuate segment.
 11. A baleras claimed in claim 10 in which the upper arcuate segment is pivotallymounted about a second pivot axis and is pivotal about the second pivotaxis between the bale forming position and the discharge position, thesecond pivot axis being parallel to the first pivot axis and beinglocated adjacent the circumferential periphery of the bale formingchamber, and being spaced apart from the first pivot axis an angulardistance of at least 180° around the main central axis of the baleforming chamber.
 12. A baler as claimed in claim 10 in which the upperarcuate segment and the lower arcuate segment are sequentially operablefrom the bale forming position, whereby movement of the upper arcuatesegment from the bale forming position commences prior to movement ofthe lower arcuate segment from the bale forming position.
 13. A baler asclaimed in claim 10 in which the bale forming chamber is mounted on achassis, a first urging means is provided for urging the lower arcuatesegment from the bale forming position, and a second urging means isprovided for urging the upper arcuate segment between the bale formingposition and the discharge position, the first urging means actingbetween the lower arcuate segment and the chassis.
 14. A baler asclaimed in claim 1 in which a bale forming means is provided for formingthe material into a bale.
 15. A baler as claimed in claim 4 in which thelocus of discharge along which the lower arcuate segment discharges thebale from the bale forming chamber extends in a generally radialdirection relative to the main central axis.
 16. A baler as claimed inclaim 7 in which the first pivot axis is located adjacent thecircumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber within an arcextending not more than 30° above, and not more than 60° below ahorizontal plane containing the main central axis of the bale formingchamber.
 17. A baler as claimed in claim 9 in which the lower arcuatesegment extends around the circumferential periphery of the bale formingchamber an angular distance in the range of 60° to 115°.
 18. A baler asclaimed in claim 10 in which the upper arcuate segment extends aroundthe circumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber through anangular distance of up to 180°.
 19. A baler as claimed in claim 11 inwhich one of the arcuate segments is a stationary arcuate segment, thestationary arcuate segment extending along the circumferential peripherybetween the respective upper and lower arcuate segments, the first pivotaxis being located remote from the stationary arcuate segment and thesecond pivot axis being located adjacent the stationary arcuate segment.20. A baler as claimed in claim 13 in which the second urging means actsbetween the moveable upper arcuate segment and the moveable lowerarcuate segment.
 21. A baler as claimed in claim 13 in which an inlet isprovided to the bale forming chamber through which material to be baledis fed into the bale forming chamber, the inlet being located at a levelsuch that the bale is discharged from the bale forming chamber by thedischarge means at a level above the level of the inlet.
 22. A baler asclaimed in claim 21 in which the chassis defines a main centrallongitudinal axis extending along the chassis in the general directionof forward motion of the chassis, the inlet to the bale forming chamberbeing located towards the front of the bale forming chamber relative tothe direction of forward motion of the chassis, and the lower arcuatesegment is located rearwardly of the inlet for discharging the bale fromthe bale forming chamber in a generally rearwardly direction.
 23. Abaler as claimed in claim 22 in which the main central axis defined bythe bale forming chamber extends transversely of the main centrallongitudinal axis defined by the chassis.
 24. A baler as claimed inclaim 14 in which the bale forming means comprises a plurality of baleforming rollers rotatably carried on the arcuate segments which form thecircumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber, the bale formingrollers being arranged around the main central axis to define thecircumferential periphery of the bale forming chamber for forming thematerial into a bale, the bale forming rollers defining respectivegeometrical secondary axes which extend parallel to the main centralaxis defined by the bale forming chamber.